Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), with support from the Sustainable Finance Institute Asia (SFIA), organised a workshop on ‘ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance’ at The Centrepoint Hotel on Wednesday.
The workshop aimed to introduce local stakeholders to ASEAN taxonomy. Using case studies, it offered participants insights into how the financial sector and relevant government agencies can contribute to the development of a national sustainable finance taxonomy as well as its effective utilisation.
Over 150 participants, including government officials and representatives from BDCB, the banking, takaful/insurance and capital market sectors as well as the oil and gas industry, attended the workshop.
The event began with opening remarks from BDCB’s Deputy Managing Director for Monetary Operations, Development and International Hajah Noorrafidah binti Haji Sulaiman. She emphasised the nation’s vision to be internationally renowned for its educated, highly-skilled and accomplished people, who enjoy a high quality of life and a dynamic and sustainable economy.
She also highlighted the Sultanate’s aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 as declared in its climate goals in 2021. This commitment includes a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 compared to business-as-usual levels.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of having a sustainable finance taxonomy in supporting sustainable development, achieving national sustainability agendas, and preventing greenwashing, all of which are hoped to contribute to global efforts toward sustainable development and sustainable finance.
The workshop then proceeded with a presentation on ‘ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance at A Glance’, delivered by SFIA Programme Director Najwa Abu Bakar.
The workshop also covered a panel discussion on pathways to developing a sustainable finance taxonomy, moderated by SFIA Chief Executive Director Eugene Wong alongside Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Sustainability Group Head of Capabilities Enablers and Futures Lim Bey An and Bank Negara Malaysia’s Sustainability Unit Sustainability Director Madelena Mohamed as panellists.
They also shared valuable insights into their respective national taxonomies, emphasising the importance of continuously enhancing understanding and collaboration within the financial sector.
